Turf perforator



Jan. 10, 1956 H. L. OSWALT 2,730,028

TURF PERFORATOR Filed Feb. 20, 1951 IN VEN TOR.

Jan. 10, 1956 H. L. OSWALT TURF PERFORATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 20, 1951 INVENTORL .7;

0swa/5 1956 H. 1.. OSWALT 2,730,028

TURF PERFORATOR Filed Feb. 20, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

lia fll flaw/4125 W 4 0 1) United States Patent TURF PERFORATOR Harry L. Oswalt, Garden City, Kans. Application February 20, 1951, Serial No. 211,933

17 Claims. (CI. 97-34) ,This invention is concerned generally with a. machine or mechanism for perforating turf for aeration, watering, fertilizing, seeding, sanding or the like, and particularly to such a machine or mechanism for vigorously vibrating the turf in addition to perforating the turf.

In many areas of the world, particularly the Central Plains States of the United States, finely divided top soil blows on to turf and sod and forms a crust thereon which is extremely difficult for air, water and fertilizer to penetrate. When this layer becomes wet slightly, then bakes in the sun, it becomes practically impervious.

An object of this invention is to provide a new or improved machine or mechanism for perforating turf for aeration, watering or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for perforating turf and vigorously vibrating the turf to loosen it.

A more specific object of this invention is the provition of an apparatus for perforating turf and vigorously vibrating it with an oscillating motion.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for perforating turf without tearing up the ground or leaving a rough surface.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for perforating turf which apparatus is substantially automatic in action.

This invention contemplates achieving the foregoing objects by the provision of a self-powered vehicle carrying one or more platforms shiftable toward and away from the earth. Each such platform carries a plurality of spikes adapted to be driven into the earth upon lowering of the platforms. Each of the platforms is spring mounted and carries an eccentric fiy wheel adapted vigorously to vibrate the platform and spikes and thus vigorously to vibrate the earth to loosen it. The spikes are lowered and lifted substantially vertically to preclude tearing up the earth and the apparatus or .vehicle is moved along the earth only during such times as the spikes are raised from contact with the earth.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention as well as a specific embodiment thereof will be understood from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 2 of a turf perforator;

Fig. 2 is a top view thereof, the upper portions being removed;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the main frame of the apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the hinged or shiftable frame;

Fig. 9 is a somewhat schematic view of the hydraulic actuating unit;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the hydraulic valve control;

Fig. 11 is a partial side view showing the hinged or shiftable platform in raised position and illustrating the driving of the apparatus;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary side view further illustrating the driving of the apparatus;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary side view similar to Fig. 12 with the parts in another position and further illustrates the driving;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the driving and braking mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a partial rear view showing a portion of the braking mechanism; and

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the brake mechanism.

Referring now in greater particularity to the drawings, a turf perforator embodying the principles of my invention may be seen to comprise a main frame 20 (Figs. 1, 2 and 7). The main frame is comprised mainly of tubular stock or pipe and includes a pair of longitudinal members 22 downturned at their forward ends as at 24. Diagonally disposed handle members 26 having curved or curled over grips 28 are secured at the rear ends of the longitudinal members 22 and have lower diagonally and horizontally extending portions 30 carried forward to junctions with a U-shaped spacer frame member 32. The forward depending ends 24 of the longitudinal frame members 22 are maintained in spaced apart relation by an angle iron 34 connected therebetween. All of the parts enumerated heretofore preferably are welded to gether. I

A pair of horizontally extending stub axles 36 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the vertical leg portions of the U-shaped spacer member 32 and a pair of rubber tired drive wheels 38 are suitably mounted thereon. I have not shown the wheel mounting in detail as suitable wheel mountings are well known in the art and any desirable type may be used, alough I prefer to utilize roller hearings to keep friction at a minimum.

A plate or platform 40 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the under side of the angle member34 or may be welded in a recess therein (see also Fig. 5). A fork 42 is rotatably mounted in a hub 43 upstanding from the plate 40 and a rubber tired wheel 44 is rotatably mounted on a shaft between the tines of the fork 42. A control lever 46 having a nose or detent 47 is pivoted at 48 on the upstanding flange of the angle member 34. The weight of the detent and friction between the parts normally causes the detent 47 to extend through an aperture in the plate 40 and into an aperture in a plate 50 carried at the top of the fork 42 to maintain the wheel 44 in parallelism with the drive wheels 38. A flexible control member such as a Bowden cable 52 interconnects the control lever 46 and an operating member 54 carried on one of the handles 26 near the grip 28 thereof to allow retraction of the detent to turn the turf perforator from a straight path.

A pivoted or hinged frame 56 (Figs. 1, 2 and 8) comprises a pair of longitudinal angle members 58 spaced V angularly disposed between the longitudinal members 58 and the legs of the U-shaped strap or hanger 64.

' The hanger '64, and consequently the forward end of the pivoted frame 56, is supported by a jack 68. (see also Fig. the jack including a hydraulic cylinder pivot'ably mounted at its lower end by a bracket 72 on the rear of the plate 40. A piston 74 fits within the cylinder 70 and extends upwardly therefrom,'car'rying a transversely arranged mounting plate 76 at its upper end. A pair of'bolts 78 fit through coil springs 80 and through apertures in the mounting plate 76, and are threaded into apertures in the bight 82 of the substantially U-shaped strap or hanger 64. Hydraulic mechanism, as will be described later, is provided for raising and lowering the jack to shift the pivoted or shiftable frame 56 from lowered horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1 to elevated position as shown in Fig; 11.

A pair of platforms 84 is mounted on the shiftable platform 56 by means of compression springs 86 Each of the platforms is provided with a pair of compression springs 86 and the springs extend downwardly from the longitudinal angle members 58 to the tops of the platfonns. The springs may be secured to the frame members and to the platforms in any desirable manner and I have found that it sometimes is desirable to pass guide rods or boltsthrough the springs along the axes thereof to aid in maintaining proper orientation of the platforms relative to the shiftable frame 56. The platforms further are oriented by positioning tension springs 88 stretched between the platforms 84 and the longitudinal frame memhas 58 and by tension springs 90 stretched between the platforms 84. The springs 88 and 90 may be secured to apertured pins or by any other suitable or desirable means.

Each of the platforms 84 comprises a flat plate provided with a depending peripheral skirt for rigidity. A plurality of spikes 92 is secured to each platform by means of nuts 94, each sp'ike having a threaded neck of decreased diameter extending upwardly through the platforms 84' to receive the nuts 94. The spikes 92 may be of any desired, sharpened configuration, but I have found that cylindrical spikes having substantially conical lower ends are most effective and are simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Each of the platforms 84 further is provided with an upstanding angle bracket 96 having a bearing boss 98 at the upper end. A stub shaft 100 is journaled in each of the bearing bosses 98 and carries a fly wheel 102. Each of the fly wheels is eccentrically weighted and I, therefore, shall refer to them as eccentric fly wheels hereafter. The fly wheels preferably are constructed with {we 7 riphe'ries concentric with the stub shafts 100 and have apertures 103 to provide an eccentric weight distribution. It will be understood, of course, that other types of eccentrieally weighted fiy wheels including symmetrical fly wheels mounted off center could be used.

A raised motor mount isprovided on the hinged, pivoted or shiftable frame 56 by means of a pair of longitudinal angle members 104 supported by a plurality of spacers 106 extending upwardly from the longitudinal frame members 58. An internal combustion engine or motor 108 of any desired type and having a crank or drive shaft 110 extending therefrom is secured on the angle members 104 toward the rear thereof by any suitable means. A double pulley 112 (Figs. l-4) is mounted on a stub shaft 114 journaled in a bearing 116. The

bearing 116 is carried by a shiftably mounted bracket 118 on an inverted, substantially U-shaped support 1 20 welded to the longitudinal frame members 58 and to the motor supports 104. A handle 121 is provided for shifting the bracket 118 and bearing 116 back and forth for bringing the stub shaft 114 into driving engagement with the motor shaft 110, suitable clutch mechanism being provided for this purpose.

A substantially V-shaped supporting bar 122 (Figs. 2 and 4) extends between the motor supports 104 to which it is bolted near the rear ends thereof. Each arm of the V-shaped support has a pair of bolts 124 passed through it and also through a plate 126. Nuts are threaded on to the ends of the bolts and coil springs 128 are compressed between the arms of the support and the plates 126. A' bearing 130 is suitably mounted on each of these plates and a jack shaft 132 is journaled in each of the bearings and extends forwardly to one of the stub shafts 100, each of the jack shafts 132 and stub shafts 100 being connected by a universal joint'134. Pulleys 136 are fixed to the jack shafts 132 near the bearings 130, and a drive belt 138 is passed over the pulley 112 and the pulleys 136 to drive the jack shafts 132 and eccentric fly wheels 102.

The longitudinal motor supports 104 additionally support a hydraulic unit 140 (Figs. 1 and 3),.a hydraulic fiuid or oil reservoir 142 and a shield 144 (see also Fig. 8) carried above the fly wheels 102 to preclude an operators being contacted thereby. A gasoline tank 146 is supported by the motor casing above the oil reservoir 142: The hydraulic unit 140 is provided with a pulley'wheel 148 on an outwardly extending shaft 150, and this pulley wheel is driven by a belt 152 passed over the double pulley 112. a

The hydraulic unit 140 and oil reservoir 142 are shown schematically in Fig. 9. The hydraulic unit 140 comprises a pump 154 having an inlet line or conduit 156 connected directly to the tank 158 of the oil reservoir 142. The pump 154 is provided with a discharge line or conduit 157 leading to a T pipe connection 160'. One side of the T pipe connection leads through a conduit 162 including a testing pressure gauge 164 to a flexible hose or conduit 166. The hose 166 is coupled in turn to a hydraulic fitting 168 on one of the tubular longitudinal frame members 22 of the main frame 20. A hydraulic connection 170 at the front of the member 22 at the elbow formed with the depending section 24 is connected to a hose 172 leading to the lower end of the hydraulic cylinder 70 (see also Fig. 5). it will be understood that the longitudinal frame member 22 can be plugged above the hydraulic connection168 and below the connection 170, but that this not necessary as the tubular'fraine member 22 is closed at both ends by the members to which it is welded and plugging the frame member would serve only to reduce the total quantity of oil needed in the system.

The other side of the T connector 160 is connected to a line or conduit 174 leading to a chamber 176 in the lower end of a valve structure 178 within the, tank 158 and depending from the top thereof. The valve structure 178 is provided with a passageway 180 having a drain line 1 82 leading from near the upper end thereof into the tank 158. A frusto conical valve member 184 is carried on the lower end of a valve stem 186 and in its uppermost position closes the passageway 180 off from the chamber 176.

It will be apparent that with the valve member 184 in the position shown in Fig. 9, hydraulic fluid or oil pumped'through'the inlet line 156 and through the outlet line 157 cannot pass through the conduit 174 and thus must establish a pressure in the line 162, hose 166, frame member 22, and hose 172 to raise the jack 68 and thereby to raise the pivoted or shiftable frame. When the valve stem 186 is lowered by means shortly to be described to its lowermost position, the valve member 184 is lowered to establish a finid connection from the pump 154 through the discharge line 157, conduit 174, chamber 176, passageway 180, anddrain line 182 into the tank 158. Thus no pressure can be built up in the hydraulic circuit previously set forth to raise the jack and the weight of the shiftable or pivoted frame will cause the jack to lower,

expelling fluid reversely through the circuit set forth for raising the jack and into the tank 158 through the conduit 174.

;A drain back hose 188.(Fig. is connected to the upper end of hydraulic cylinder 70 of the jack 68 and leads into the upper end of the tank 158 at any convenient location (not shown) to discharge oil leaking past packing at the lower end of the piston 74. The tank 158 is provided with an oil filler and breather 190. A relief line 192, having a hand operated relief valve 194, leads from a hydraulic connector 196 on the discharge conduit 157 into the .upper end. of the tank 158 to allow lowering of the jack by hand without lowering the valve stem 186 and valve member 184. a 1

Means for shifting the valve stem.186 up and down is shown in Figs. 1 and 10. This means includes a bifurcated lever 198 pivoted between upstanding bracket arms 200 on top of the tank 158. The upper end of the valve stem 186 is received between the pivoted arms of the lever 198, and nuts 202 are threaded on to the stem above and below the lever adjustably to link the stem to the lever. The lever arm 198 is pinned or keyed to the shaft or axle 204 on which it is mounted and a second lever arm 206 consisting of a strip of sheet metal likewise is fixed to this shaft so that the two levers must pivot in unison. A coil spring 208 is stretched between a pin 210 at the end of the lever 206 and a pin 212 on an upstanding arm 214 on top of the tank 158.

An actuating arm 216 is pivoted on the pin 212 and is provided with a slot 218 to receive the pin 210 on the lever arm 206. It will be seen that shifting the control arm 216 up or down will pivot the lever 206 to raise or lower the valve stem 186 and that the spring 208 causes the lever 206 to snap past a dead center position positively to preclude any possibility of the valve member 184 coming to rest in a position other than completely closed or completely open. a

.A control rod 220 is pivoted at its lower end at 222 on. the left longitudinal frame member 22 of the fixed frame and fits through an aperture in a transversely directed ear 224 on the control arm 216. Stops 226 and 228 are adjustably fixed to the control rod 220 above and belowthe control arm ear 224 to contact the ear and pivot the arm as the shiftable or pivoted frame is lowered or raised.

Means for driving my turf perforator maybe seen in Figs. 1, 6 and 11-16. Identical means. are provided on each side of the perforator and therefore only one side will be described. A ratchet wheel 230 is fixed to each of the two driving wheels 38 and spaced inwardly a short distance therefrom. Each ratchet wheel is adapted to be driven by a pawl 232 having a tooth 234 engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel 230. The pawl 232 is pivoted intermediate its ends between a pair of plates 236 which are pivoted in turn, attheir upper ends, on an actuating bar or strut 238. Thefstrut 238 is pivoted at its forward end on an car 240 depending from each longitudinal frame member 22 of the fixed or main frame 20. A coil spring 242 is stretched between one of the plates 236 and the strut 238 forwardly thereof to urge the plates 236 toward the ratchet wheel 230. Suitable spring means (not shown) may be utilized to urge the pawl tooth 234 into driving engagement with the ratchet wheel 230.

Each of the longitudinal angle frame members 58 of the shiftable or pivoted frame 56 is provided with a bracket 244 (see also Fig. 8) shiftable longitudinally thereonand locked in adjusted position by means such as a set screw 246 bearing against the frame member 58. A stub axle 248 extends outwardly from the bracket 244 and carries anactuating roller 250. Each of the stub axles 248 is braced by a diagonal strut 252 having an upper bent-over tab 254 engaging the upwardly directed flange of the longitudinal motor support 104.

Positively to preclude movement of my turf perforator along the ground while the spikes are entering the ground, and thus to preclude digging up small sections of turf and leaving a rough finish, I have provided brake mechanism to movement of the turf perforator prior to engagement of the spikes with the ground. Such brake mechanism is similar on both sides of the perforator and only one side therefore will be described. Referring specifically to Figs. 1 and 11-16, the brake mechanism will be seen to include a transverse rod or pipe 256 suitably pivoted in bearings 258 (see also Fig. 7 and particularly Fig. 15) secured to the under sides of the horizontal portions 30 of the handles 26. The transverse rod 256 is provided near each end with a section of rod or pipe 260 arranged in parallel contacting relation therewith and welded thereto. The positions and dimensions of the rod 256 and rod sections 260 are such that rotation of the rod 256 will bring the sections 260 into frictional engagement with the tires of the driving wheels 38 to prevent rotation thereof.

A brake actuating arm 262 is fixed near each end of the rod 256 intermediate one of the bearings 258 and one of the rod sections 260. Each of the actuating arms 262 is provided near its upper end with a cam track 264 pivoted at its upper end at 266 and having its movement forwardly of the turf perforator limited by a stud 268 on the arm 262. A roller 270 is carried at the extreme rear end of each of the actuating arms or struts 238 and is adapted to engage one of the cam tracks 264 to pivot the actuating arm 262 and release the brakes. The brakes are applied by means of springs 272 stretched between the arms 262 and the longitudinal shiftable frame members 58.

Each of the angle frame members 58 is provided with an angle bracket 274 bolted thereto and providing an inclined cam surface 276. A curved bracket 278 is welded to the inner face of each of the brake arms 262 and is adapted to contact the corresponding. inclined cam surface once during each cycle of operation of the turf perforator as will be apparent from the ensuing paragraphs.

Operation of the turf perforator is as follows: Assuming the hinged, pivoted or shiftable frame 56 to be in the raised position shown in Fig. 11, the ear of the actuating arm 216 on the hydraulic fluid or oil reservoir will be just about to encounter the stop 226 on the actuating rod 220 and shortly thereafter will be snapped past dead center position by the spring 208 to shift the valve member 184 to open position as the shiftable platform reaches its uppermost position. This allows hydraulic fluid to drain from the jack 68 and the weight of the shiftable frame and parts carried thereby will cause it to descend to the position shown in Fig. 1'. It will be understood that the turf perforator is not moving forwardly at this time, the brakes having just stopped it as will be apparent shortly. The weight of the shiftable frame and parts carried thereby forces the spikes 92 into the ground and the vigorous vibration of the spikes due to the constant rotation of the eccentric fly wheels 102 on the spring mounted platforms 84 aids in penetration. As the spikes penetrate the ground, and after they have reached their full depth of penetration, the earth intermediately adjacent the spikes will be vigorously vibrated thereby. The motion imparted to;the earth or turf by the spikes 92 is oscillatory and loosens the earth in a most efliicacious manner to allow aeration, fertilization, watering or the like.

* The spikes 92 are vibrating constantly and therefore any packing of the edges of the holes by penetration of the spikes is loosened as the spikes are withdrawn to leave irregular spike holes 280. It will be understood that the spikes 92 are positioned a sufficient distance from the pivot 60 of the shiftable frame so thatthe insertion and withdrawal of the spikes is nearly vertical and does not grealk up the surface of the turf to leave a torn and rough nis When thespikes have penetrated to the desired depth, the shiftable frame has dropped a suflicient distance for the ear of the aetuatingarm or lever 216 to engage the lower stop 228 on theeontrol or actuating rod 220. The arm 216 then'is pivoted by the stop 228 until the spring 208 takes over to raise the valve stem 186 and bring the 'valve member 184 into closed position. builds up in the system, the jack 68 is raised to lift the pivotedframe 56 and thereby to raise the spikes 92 from the ground.

As the pivoted frame 56 rises, the rollers 250 thereon engage the under side of the actuating arms or struts 238 and pivot them to raise the pawls 232 and thereby to rotate the ratchet wheels 230 to drive the turf perforator forwardly. It will be apparent that no forward motion can be imparted to the turf perforator until the spikes 92 have been lifted from the ground and the spikes therefore cannot tear the ground.

While the struts 238 are being raised by the rollers 250, the rollers 270 move from the position shown in Fig. 12 to that shown in Fig. 11 and roll along the back of the cam track 264. This holds the brake arms 262 forwardly against the action of springs 272 and holds the brakes in off position. In the position shown in Fig. 12, the brakes are held in off position by the inclined cam surface 276 carried by the angle frame members 58 hearing down on top of the curved brackets 278 and holding the transverse bar 256 pivoted in counterclockwise position.

As the rollers 270 pass over the tops of the cam tracks 264, the brake actuating arms 262 are freed from restraint and are pivoted clockwise to the position shown in Fig. 13 under the influence of springs 272 to force the rod sections 260 against the tires of the wheels 38 to brake the forward movement of the turf perforator. Each pawl 232 at this time has reached its upper limit of movement and no longer exerts any driving force. The turf perforator therefore ceases its forward movement. Subsequent lowering of the pivoted frame as set forth heretofore releases the brakes and sets the pawls to advance ratchets for another forward motion.

In order to transport my turf perforator, I have provided latch members 282 pivoted on cross bar 284 at the forward end of the main frame 20 which may be shifted beneath the ends of the longitudinal angle frame members 58 of the shiftable frame 56 when the latter is in raised position to maintain the frame in raised position.

A lever 286 is pivoted to the handle 26 adjacent the control or operating member 54 and is connected by suitable flexible connections such as Bowden cables 288 to the pawls 232 to maintain them retracted from driving engagement with the ratchet wheels 230. Bowden cable connections are well known and I therefore have omitted the details of their connections to the pawls from the drawings for simplicity of illustration. It is apparent that with the hinge frame in raised position and the pawls retracted from the ratchets the turf perforator can be rolled readily along the ground to any desired position. The turf perforator readily is steered when the control knob 54 is actuated to remove the detent 47 of the lock lever 46 from the aperture in the plate 50 above the front wheel.

It is apparent that the objects of this invention have been met. My turf perforator perforates the turf and vigorously vibrates the same to loosen the turf for aeration, fertilization, watering or the like. The turf perforating spikes remain in the ground for a plurality of vibrations to insure properloosening of the soil. The turf perforator is substantially automatic in action and, additionally, the simple valve and conduit construction of the hydraulic actuating means precludes the necessity of a large number of valves and conduits.

Although my invention has been described throughout the specification with regard to perforation and loosening of earth fo'r irri'gation, aeration, and other purposes, it

will be apparent that the machine has use in loosening materials other than turf. For instance, it has been found that the machine is extremely effective in removing ice from sidewalks, roadways, and the like. By using the As pressure machine for turf loosening in the summertime and; ice loosening and removal in the wintertime, substantially year-around use is insured. This makes the use'of my machine much more economicalas it is not left lying idle while the initial cost is being amortized.

The specific example shown and described herein is for illustrative purposes only and various changes may be made in the details of construction thereof without de' parting from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for loosening hard material comprising a frame, means including wheels for moving said frame along the surface of said material, a floating platform, impositive means only for supporting said floating platform from said frame free for restrained movement in any direction relative thereto, a plurality of sharpened, elongated spikes carried by said platform for perforating the surface of said hard material, means for lowering said spikes into the material, means for vigorously vibrating said floating platform while said spikes are in the material thereby to vigorously vibrate the material to loosen the same, and means for lifting said spikes from the material for movement of said frame along the surface thereof.

2. Apparatus for loosening hard material comprising a frame, a pair of wheels on said frame, a platform, spring means forming the sole support for said platform from said frame, said platform thereby being free for restrained movement in any direction relative to said frame, a plurality of sharpened spikes carried by said frame for perforating the surface of said hard material, means for lowering said spikes into the material, means for vigorously vibrating said platform while said spikes are in the material, vigorously to vibrate the material to loosen the same, and means for lifting said spikes from the material for movement of said frame along the surface thereof.

3. A machine for loosening hard material including a frame, means including wheels for moving said frame means along the surface of said hard material, a platform, spring means forming the sole support for said platform from said frame, said platform thereby being substantially free for restrained movement in any direction relative to said frame, a plurality of sharp spikes carried by said platform, means for lowering said spikes into said material, an eccentric flywheel'on said platform, means for rotating said flywheel vigorously to vibrate said platform and thereby vigorously to vibrate the material while said spikes are in the material, and means for lifting said spikes from the material for movement of said frame therealong.

4. Apparatus for loosening material comprising a frame, means for moving said frame along the surface of said material, a plurality of sharp spikes carried by said frame for perforating the material, means for lowering said spikes into the material, means for vigorously vibrating said spikes through a plurality of vibrations while in the material vigorously to vibrate the material to loosen the same, means for lifting said spikes from the material for movement of said frame along the surface thereof, and power means for operating all of said foregoing means in timed relation in the order listed.

5. A machine for loosening material comprising supporting means, means for moving said supporting means along the surface of said material, means for braking movement of said supporting means along said surface, a plurality of sharp spikes carried by said supporting means for perforating the material, means for lowering said spikes into the material, means for raising said spikes from the material for movement of said supporting means along the surface of said material, and 'power means for operating all of said foregoing means in timed relation in the order listed.

6. Apparatus for loosening material comprising supporting means, means for moving said supporting means along the surface of said material, means for braking movement of said supporting means along said surface, a plurality of spikes carried by said supporting means for perforating the material, means for lowering said spikes into the material, means for vigorously vibrating said spikes while in the material vigorously to vibrate the material to loosen the same, means for lifting said spikes from the material for movement of said supporting means alongthesurface thereof, and power means for operatingall of said foregoing means in timed relation in the order listed.

7. A machine for loosening material comprising supporting means, means for moving said supporting means along the surface of said material, means for braking movement of said supporting means along said surface,

a plurality of spikes carried by said supporting means for perforating the material, means for lowering said spikes into the material, mechanism for raising said spikes from the material, mechanism actuated by said spike raising mechanism to operate said moving means, and means operated by one of said mechanisms to operate said braking means after a predetermined distance of movement along the ground.

8. A machine for loosening material comprising supporting means, means for moving said supporting means along the surface of said material, means for braking movement of said supporting means, a plurality of spikes carried by said supporting means for perforating the material, means for vigorously vibrating the spikes while in the material whereby vigorously to vibrate the material to loosen the same, mechanism for raising said spikes from the material, mechanism actuated by said spike raising mechanism to operate said moving means, means operated by one of said mechanisms to operate said braking means after movement a predetermined distance along said surface, and means for thereafter lowering said spikes into the material.

9. A machine for loosening material comprising supporting means, means for moving said supporting means along the surface of said material, means for braking movement of said supporting means, a platform, means including spring means for supporting said platform from said supporting means substantially free for movement in any direction relative to said first named supporting means, a plurality of spikes on said platform adapted to perforate said material, means for vigorously vibrating said platform with said spikes in the material whereby vigorously to vibrate the material to loosen the same, mechanism for raising said platform to lift said spikes from the material, mechanism actuated by said platform raising mechanism to operate said moving means, means operated by one of said mechanisms to operate said braking means after a predetermined distance of movement of said supporting means along said surface, and means for thereafter lowering said platform to lower said spikes into the material.

10. A machine as set forth in claim 9 wherein the means for vibrating said platform includes means for constantly vibrating said platform with an oscillatory motion.

11. A machine as set forth in claim 9 for loosening soil wherein the means for vibratingthe platform includes an eccentric flywheel mounted for rotation on said platform and means for rotating said flywheel.

12. A machine as set forth in claim 11 wherein the spikes carried by the platform are substantially perpendicular to the surface of said material and the means for raising the platform and the means for lowering the platform include means for limiting this movement substantially to the vertical to insure substantially vertical withdrawal and insertion of the spikes to prevent tearing of the surface of the material.

13. A machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein the means for raising the platform, the means for lowering the platform, and the means for limiting such movement substantially to the vertical includes an elongated frame carrying said platform at one end and pivoted to said supporting means at the other end. i l

14. A machine for loosening material comprising a main frame. a plurality of wheels for moving said main frame along the surface of said material, means including pawl and ratchet means for periodically rotating at least one of said wheels a predetermined distance to move said machine a predetermined distance along said surface, braking means for stopping rotation of said wheels after move ment through said predetermined distance, a shiftable frame carried by said main frame and pivoted at one end thereto, a hydraulic jack supporting the other end of said shiftable frame from said main frame, a platform, means including spring means for supporting said platform from said shiftable frame substantially free for restrained movement in any direction relative to said shiftable frame, a plurality of spikes carried by said platform and adapted to perforate the material, an eccentric flywheel, means for mounting said flywheel for rotation on said platform, means for rotating said eccentric flywheel vigorously to vibrate said platform and thereby vigorously to vibrate the material when said spikes are in the material to loosen said material, hydraulic actuating means for operating said hydraulic jack to lower and raise said shiftable frame whereby to cause said spikes to perforate and leave the material, means engaged by said shiftable frame as said frame is raised to operate said pawl and ratchet means to move said main frame along the surface of said material, and means engaged by said last named means upon raising of said shiftable frame and actuation of said pawl and ratchet operating means to operate said braking means.

15. Apparatus for loosening material comprising supporting means, means for moving said supporting means along the surface of said material, a plurality of spikes carried by said supporting means for perforating the material, means including a constantly rotating eccentric flywheel the axle of which is rigidly interconnected with said spikes for vigorously vibrating said spikes and thereby vigorously to vibrate the material when said spikes are in the material, means including hydraulic means for lifting said spikes from the material for movement of said supporting means along the surface of said material and forthereafter lowering said spikes into said material, and means controlled by lifting of said spikes for moving said supporting means along the surface of said material.

16. Apparatus for loosening material comprising a frame, a plurality of wheels for transporting said frame above a surface, a carrier, substantially vertically disposed spring means for supporting said carrier from said frame substantially free for restrained movement in any direction, substantially horizontally disposed spring means between said carrier and said frame for controlling horizontal movement of said carrier, a plurality of substantially straight, sharpened spikes carried by said carrier for spiking into said surface, means for vigorously vibrating said carrier and said spikes to aid in spiking into said surface and for loosening the material of said surface, and means for pivoting said frame about said wheels to move said spikes to and from said surface substantiallylongitudinally of said spikes.

17. A turf perforator comprising a frame, a plurality of wheels adjacent one end of the frame for transporting the frame along the ground, a carrier suspended from adjacent the opposite end of the frame by a floating connection which provides restrained movement of said carrier in any direction and said floating connection comprising a first spring means positioned to yieldingly restrain movement of the carrier in a substantially vertical plane and a second spring means angularly positioned relative to the position of said first spring means to yieldingly restrain movement of the carrier in a substantially horizontal direction, a plurality of sharpened spikes carried by said carrier in parallel array, means for vigorously vibrating said carrier and the spikes carried thereby to t 1'1 12 admin spiking into and loosening the gound andcom- References Cited in the file of this patent prising an eccentric fly wheel mounted on the carrier with UNITED STATES PATENTS the axis of the fly wheel extending longitudinally of the frame to impart up and down and sidewise vibratory mo- 20,663 camefon M313 1938 tion to the spikes, and means for pivoting the frame about 5 2 Tustam 7 7 the Wheels to elevate the carrier and the spikes for tran 2,517,733 Takatsr A 1950 portati'on, and said floating connection permittin move- 250L752 Q y It 2 ment of the spikes into and out of the ground substantially 25131582 Hal'shbergel' 9 2 along their axes to prevent tearing of the ground, 254L982 Harshbefger June 16;. 953

' 10 FOREIGN PATENTS 441,228 Great Britain Jan' 1, 19316 

